Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

We conducted phone surveys of bear hunters (n=714) and randomly-selected registered voters (n=327) to compare how demographics, knowledge of black bear (Ursus americanus) biology, and perceptions about black bear populations in Oregon differed between the two groups and how these differences influenced personal opinions of a 1994 ballot initiative that banned two bear hunting techniques (Measure 18). Responses differed between voters and hunters for almost all questions. In contrast to respondents who disagreed with Measure 18, both hunters and voters who agreed with Measure 18 were less likely to belong to a hunting organization and tended to believe that black bear populations were increasing and that bears were dangerous or potentially dangerous. In addition, voters who were female and who obtained information primarily from television and newspapers were more likely to agree with Measure 18. Surveys of public knowledge, perceptions, and opinions can help wildlife managers identify issues, design ongoing public information campaigns, predict outcomes of ballot initiatives, and predict support for proposed management policy and regulation changes.